Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one processor, the at least one memory, and the computer program code causing the apparatus to at least: send a request, from a network to a user equipment, for an identifier representative of the user equipment, the request including an indicator that the network supports encrypted identifiers, wherein the indicator is provided in a bit of the request; and receive an encrypted identifier by the network from the user equipment, wherein the encrypted identifier includes an encrypted international mobile equipment identity.
A network apparatus encrypts user equipment identifiers for secure communication. The apparatus sends a request to a user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers. Upon receiving the request, the user equipment encrypts its IMEI and sends the encrypted identifier back to the network apparatus. The network uses this encrypted IMEI for further secure processing with the user equipment.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the request comprises an identity request message.
The network apparatus that requests an encrypted identifier from a user equipment, where the request takes the form of an "identity request message". This message signals the user equipment to provide its identifier in encrypted form.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the identifier is encrypted using a public key sent by the network in response to a message from the user equipment to indicate that the public key is required.
The network apparatus that requests an encrypted identifier from a user equipment, where the user equipment first requests a public key from the network. The network sends its public key to the user equipment. The user equipment then uses this public key to encrypt its identifier before sending the encrypted identifier back to the network. This ensures only the network holding the corresponding private key can decrypt the identifier.
4. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform at least the following: sending a request, from a network to a user equipment, for an identifier representative of the user equipment, the request including an indicator that the network supports encrypted identifiers, wherein the indicator is provided in a bit of the request; and receiving an encrypted identifier by the network from the user equipment, wherein the encrypted identifier includes an encrypted international mobile equipment identity.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions for a network to securely identify user equipment. The instructions, when executed, cause the network to send a request to the user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers. Upon receiving the request, the user equipment encrypts its IMEI and sends the encrypted identifier back to the network.
5. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the request comprises an identity request message.
The computer-readable medium storing instructions for requesting an encrypted identifier from a user equipment, where the request takes the form of an "identity request message." This message signals the user equipment to provide its identifier in encrypted form.
6. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the received encrypted identifier includes an indicator showing that the identifier has been encrypted.
The computer-readable medium storing instructions for requesting and receiving an encrypted identifier from a user equipment, where the received encrypted identifier includes an indicator field. This field signals whether or not the identifier has indeed been encrypted, allowing the receiving network to verify the data integrity.
7. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the indicator shows if a subscriber certificate or access network certificate has been used to encrypt the identifier.
This invention relates to secure communication systems, specifically methods for encrypting identifiers in network communications to enhance privacy and security. The problem addressed is the need to protect subscriber and network identifiers from unauthorized access while maintaining the ability to verify the authenticity of communications. The system involves a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, perform a process for encrypting an identifier using a certificate. The certificate can be either a subscriber certificate associated with a user device or an access network certificate associated with a network provider. The encrypted identifier is then transmitted over a communication channel, ensuring that the original identifier remains confidential. A key feature is the inclusion of an indicator that specifies whether the encryption was performed using a subscriber certificate or an access network certificate. This indicator allows the receiving party to determine the source of the encryption and verify the legitimacy of the communication. The system ensures that only authorized entities with the appropriate certificates can decrypt and access the identifier, thereby preventing unauthorized interception or tampering. The invention improves security by preventing unauthorized parties from accessing sensitive identifiers while maintaining the ability to authenticate communications. This is particularly useful in environments where privacy and data protection are critical, such as in mobile networks, IoT devices, or secure enterprise communications.
8. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the network is a visited network.
The computer-readable medium storing instructions for requesting an encrypted identifier from a user equipment where the network is a "visited network". A visited network is a network other than the user's home network, implying that the encryption is used to protect the user's identity when roaming.
9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the identifier is encrypted using a public key sent by the network in response to a message from the user equipment to indicate that the public key is required.
The computer-readable medium storing instructions for requesting an encrypted identifier from a user equipment, where the user equipment first requests a public key from the network. The network sends its public key to the user equipment. The user equipment then uses this public key to encrypt its identifier before sending the encrypted identifier back to the network.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the received encrypted identifier includes an indicator showing that the identifier has been encrypted.
The network apparatus that requests an encrypted identifier from a user equipment, where the received encrypted identifier includes an indicator field. This field signals whether or not the identifier has indeed been encrypted, allowing the receiving network to verify the data integrity. The apparatus sends a request to a user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers. Upon receiving the request, the user equipment encrypts its IMEI and sends the encrypted identifier back to the network apparatus.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the indicator shows if a subscriber certificate or access network certificate has been used to encrypt the identifier.
The network apparatus that requests an encrypted identifier that has a flag showing that the identifier has been encrypted, where the indicator shows the type of certificate that was used to encrypt the data. The indicator specifies if a subscriber certificate (related to the user's subscription) or an access network certificate (related to the network the user is connected to) was used for the encryption. The apparatus sends a request to a user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers. Upon receiving the request, the user equipment encrypts its IMEI and sends the encrypted identifier back to the network apparatus.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the network is a visited network.
The network apparatus that requests an encrypted identifier from a user equipment where the network is a "visited network". A visited network is a network other than the user's home network, implying that the encryption is used to protect the user's identity when roaming. The apparatus sends a request to a user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers. Upon receiving the request, the user equipment encrypts its IMEI and sends the encrypted identifier back to the network apparatus.
13. A method comprising: sending a request, from a network to a user equipment, for an identifier representative of the user equipment, the request including an indicator that the network supports encrypted identifiers, wherein the indicator is provided in a bit of the request; and receiving an encrypted identifier by the network from the user equipment, wherein the encrypted identifier includes an encrypted international mobile equipment identity.
A method for a network to request and receive encrypted identifiers from user equipment. The network sends a request to a user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers. The network receives the identifier from the user equipment in encrypted form. The received identifier is an encrypted international mobile equipment identity.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the request comprises an identity request message.
The method of requesting and receiving an encrypted identifier from a user equipment, where the request takes the form of an "identity request message". This message signals the user equipment to provide its identifier in encrypted form. The network sends a request to a user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers and then receiving an encrypted international mobile equipment identity.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the received encrypted identifier includes an indicator showing that the identifier has been encrypted.
The method of requesting and receiving an encrypted identifier from a user equipment, where the received encrypted identifier includes an indicator field. This field signals whether or not the identifier has indeed been encrypted, allowing the receiving network to verify the data integrity. The network sends a request to a user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers and then receiving an encrypted international mobile equipment identity.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the indicator shows if a subscriber certificate or access network certificate has been used to encrypt the identifier.
The method of requesting an encrypted identifier that has a flag showing that the identifier has been encrypted, where the indicator shows the type of certificate that was used to encrypt the data. The indicator specifies if a subscriber certificate (related to the user's subscription) or an access network certificate (related to the network the user is connected to) was used for the encryption. The network sends a request to a user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers and then receiving an encrypted international mobile equipment identity.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the network is a visited network.
The method of requesting an encrypted identifier from a user equipment where the network is a "visited network". A visited network is a network other than the user's home network, implying that the encryption is used to protect the user's identity when roaming. The network sends a request to a user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers and then receiving an encrypted international mobile equipment identity.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the identifier is encrypted using a public key sent by the network in response to a message from the user equipment to indicate that the public key is required.
The method of requesting an encrypted identifier from a user equipment, where the user equipment first requests a public key from the network. The network sends its public key to the user equipment. The user equipment then uses this public key to encrypt its identifier before sending the encrypted identifier back to the network. The network sends a request to a user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers and then receiving an encrypted international mobile equipment identity.
19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the encrypted international mobile equipment identity includes a software version number.
The network apparatus that requests an encrypted identifier, where the encrypted international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) includes a software version number. This allows the network to identify the specific software version running on the user equipment, potentially for compatibility or security checks. The apparatus sends a request to a user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers. Upon receiving the request, the user equipment encrypts its IMEI and sends the encrypted identifier back to the network apparatus.
20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the encrypted international mobile equipment identity includes a software version number.
The computer-readable medium storing instructions for requesting an encrypted identifier, where the encrypted international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) includes a software version number. This allows the network to identify the specific software version running on the user equipment. The instructions, when executed, cause the network to send a request to the user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers. Upon receiving the request, the user equipment encrypts its IMEI and sends the encrypted identifier back to the network.
21. The method of claim 13 , wherein the encrypted international mobile equipment identity includes a software version number.
The method of requesting an encrypted identifier, where the encrypted international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) includes a software version number. This allows the network to identify the specific software version running on the user equipment. The network sends a request to a user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers. The network receives the identifier from the user equipment in encrypted form. The received identifier is an encrypted international mobile equipment identity including a software version number.
22. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the network requests a secret key from a second network for decrypting the encrypted identifier.
The network apparatus requests an encrypted identifier and then requests a secret key from a second network. This secret key is used to decrypt the encrypted identifier. This scenario likely describes a roaming situation where the visited network needs to contact the user's home network to obtain the necessary key for decryption. The apparatus sends a request to a user device for its identifier (like an IMEI), embedding a 1-bit flag in the request to indicate the network's support for encrypted identifiers. Upon receiving the request, the user equipment encrypts its IMEI and sends the encrypted identifier back to the network apparatus.
Unknown
September 19, 2017
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